Toilet ventilating system



June 2 1943. w. J. HAZARD 3 2,322,515

TOILET VENTILATING SYSTEM Filed Dec. 30, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet l June 22, 1943. w, J, HAZARD TOILET VENTILATING SYSTEM Filed Dec. 50, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 22, 1943. w. J. HAZARD 2,322,515

TOILET VENTILATING SYS TEM Filed Dec. 30, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 June 22, 1943. M A ARD 2322;515?

TOILET VENTILATING SYSTEM Filed Dec. 30, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented June 22, 1943 TOILET VETNTILATING SYSTEM William J. Hazard, Boulder, Colo.

Application December 30, 1941, Serial No. 424,98!

. v 9 Claims.

My invention relates to an improvement in .toilet ventilating systems.

. Fig. 1 is a partial plan view of a toilet seat with all the. equipment shown in the at rest position;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of same; Fig. 3 is a sectional side elevation on line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

4 is a plan view on an enlarged scale of th 'lefthand side of the toilet seat hinge showing the mercury switch control spring;

\ Fig. 5 is a side elevation of same; v

Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation on line 6-6 Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of toilet seat with all the equipment shown in the at rest position.

V Fig. 8 is a side elevation showing the seat and cover being depressed, with the cover down;

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of toilet seat with the cover in raised position with the seat and mercury switch innormal position and open circult. position; p

Fig. 10 is a side elevation of toilet seat with the cover in raised position and the seat depressed;

Fig. 11 is a side elevation of ventilating pipe section and showing damper operating mechanism;

Fig. 12 is an end elevation of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a schematic wiring diagram ofa battery of two or more units;

Fig. 14 is a schematic wiring diagram of, a i

battery of two units;

Fig. 15 is a schematic wiring diagram for a single toilet seat. I A, represents-the bowl;- the numeral I, the seat; and 2, the lid or cover.

.while hinges 1 turn on the rod 4.

A single rod 4 aflordsa means of hinging both seat and cover, it being axially supported in the brackets 5 secured in any approved manner to the bowl, and

Springs I0 secured on the underside of the seat on opposite sides raise the seat normally at a small angle when not in use in the positions shown in Figs. 2, 7 and 9. In Figs. 8 and 10, these springs H) are shown depressed. The springszilfl are preferably attached at one end only to the seat as illustrated, and the bowed central portion rests normally on the edge of the .bowl with the free end slidably engaging the lower side .of the seat, as viewed in Figs. 2, 3, '7, .8, 9 and 10. .These springs Ill are independent of the bolts holding the seat in place and byattaching them to the under sideflof the seat they are self-com tained, out of the way. and inconspicuous;- -and they have the further advantage of a doublev con:- tact with the seat, thus eliminating most of, the prying action on the holding screws, which would result from being in contact at one endonly. Either one or two of these springs l0 may be placed on each side of the seat. a. I

A rubber gasket or bumper l l is placed around the major'portion of the lower side of the seat where it is adapted to rest upon the upperedge of the bowl in order to fill thespace between the bowl andsat as far as possible.

. The numeral [2 indicates a mercury switch which is supported on the lower side of the seat by a; spring I3 secured at one end to the lat.- ter..

Several different positions of this mercury switch are illustrated in Figs. 2, 7 8,9 andlllll.

The angle of tipping of the switch is approx).

mately from two to three degrees. The position of the mercury switch is determined by'ian inhibiting spring l4 secured to a sleeve l5 mounted on one endof. the rod 4, as shown. In Figs.

7 tell), the inhibitingspring I4 is shown as it assumes .its various positions. with respect to the proper functioning of themercury switch 12;. in Figs. 7 and 8, it is pushing against the spring l3, which latter figures show the mercuryv switch tilted, the dotted lines indicating that thein'ercury level is out of contact with the leads l6, and hence the electric current offor open, and

the ventilating system donnant' for'inoperatii're,

as there is no call upon it when the seat-i'si-in these positions.

In Figs '7 and 8, the cover'or lid and'seat are both down, andeven with weight resting thereon the circuit'remains open and the ventilatin system inactive. 7

In Figs. 9 and 10, the lid or cover is raised, but

'as there isn'o weight resting 'upo-n seat ii, the

position of mercury switch I2 as shown in Fig. 9 is such that the mercury makes no contact 'with the leads l6, and hence the ventilating system is still inoperative; but when the lid or cover 2 is up and the seat I is depressed by weight as shown in Fig.10, the circuit is closed through the mercury switch l2 and the leads l6 and the ventilating system is set in operation.

In other words, with the parts as shown in Fig. 9, the system is in readiness to operate if and when weight is applied, and in Fig. 10 it is in operation due to weight upon the seat I, both seat and mercury switch attached thereto being tilted downwardly and the lid or cover up. "The inhibiting spring l4 holds the mercury switch against the tension'of its supporting spring 13 when the lid or cover 2 is down, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8 whereas spring l3 holds the mercury switch normally against the lower surface of the seat when the parts are in the position shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the inhibiting spring being withdrawn from contact with the spring I3 when in this position, thus releasing pressure from the spring l3, which latter in consequence is free to raise the mercury switch to a position against the seat.

As the swinging movement of the inhibiting spring M is relatively limited as may be seen by a glance at Figs. '7 to 10, I have provided for a differential in movement between the inhibiting spring I4 and the rod 4, to which it is connected through the sleeve 15, as shown in detail in Figs. 4 and 6. To provide for this, the collar I is loosely mounted on the rod 4,'but has a limited movement thereon, and this is provided for by the screw H, which extends into an arcuate slot 18 extending transversely of the rod 4 a limited distance, thereby providing stops at each end, so that with the raising of the lid or cover and the turning of the rod, the inhibiting spring is turned the required relatively short distance, as will be seen by reference to Figs. 7 and 10.

'By proper proportioning of the slot I8 into which the screw IT projects (see Fig. 6:), the vertical motion of the lower end of spring I 4 is limited to the amount needed to inhibit the action of the mercury switch J2. This provision is made since the approximate angle of 100 through which the lid or cover can move, is obviously a great deal more than needed for the travel of the spring I4. I

From the foregoing it will be gathered that the ventilating system will not and can not operate when the lid or cover is down, regardless of whether weight rests upon the lid or cover or not. To put it another way, the ventilating system only works when the lid or cover is raised and weightjis applied to the seat. In order further to emphasize the importance of this part of my invention, perhaps it will bear re-stating, in

the following language. The inhibiting spring.

l4, operated by the lid or cover 2, when down, pushes the rear end of the mercury switch I2 down far enough, as shown in Figs. 2, 7 and 8, so that it'cannot close the circuit, no matter what the position of the seat, whether pressed down, or completely raised. I consider this arrangement a very novel and important improvement, in simplifying the method of preventing "the action. of the ventilating fan (as later exassociated parts, attention is now turned to my proposed. automatic ventilating scheme.

An air intake pipe or duct 23 preferably of ceramic material such as porcelain is fitted in position on the rear of the toilet bowl A, (shown enlarged in Figs. 1, 2 and 3). The end of pipe 29 joined to the bowl is widened out and constitutes an air pan. Most metal parts about a toilet bowl become corroded in time, and porcelain stands indefinitely. This air pan is in the nature of a flat box symmetrical about a horizontal central plane so as to adapt it to right or left-hand connection, also to adapt it to the more modern toilets in which the porcelain is carried straight back as a plane surface from top of the bowl. The flat box is flared out to a circular end as shown enlarged in Figs. 1 and 2 for connection to an outgoing pipe to the suction fan. A thin strap 2| of nickelled bronze or other suitable material across the air pan may be used to hold the pan in place by using the standard two bolts commonly used, which hold the brackets to the bowl, the pan thus being drawn against a thin gasket '23. A rubber gasket 24, or other resilient material such as a soft plastic, could be used to make a tight joint (butt joint) between the air pan and the back of the chamfered part 22 of the seat, when in use, which chamfered portion increases the transverse area of the air intake duct 20.

Joined to the air intake pipe or tube 29 is a ventilating pipe 26 which leads to any convenient point for its discharge. At some intermediate point in this pipe the ventilating fan 21 is located. Also in most instances a magnetic damper 28 is placed in this ventilating pipe at some point beyond the fan.

A preferred form of damper is illustrated in Figs. 11 and 12. This damper is controlled by an electromagnet 29, and to the armature 33 a lever 3| is secured at a suitable angle, and this is forked at the free end and actuates the small crank 32 on which the damper is secured and by which it is turned in order to open or close the ventilating pipe.

In further explanation of the form and action of this magnetic damper and connections, Figs. 11 and 12 show the operating mechanism on top of a horizontal section of a ventilating pipe, although it is adaptable to'a pipe in any position.

As here shown, the electro-magnet is on top of the pipe, whereas it might be located on the side.

In these views the damper is shown in the closed position and the electro-magnet not energized, it being held in this position by a very light spring 35 placed anywhere on the mechanism that is convenient for the location of the magnet. The damper is rotated through an angle of by a comparatively small angle of rotation of the electro-magnet armature and the same angle for the lever 3| which is rigidly connected to the armature at such an angle that the necessary 90 rotation of the damper leaves the armature still making a small angle b with the center plane of the magnet core. This insures a sufiicient torque on the armature to hold the damper wide open. Dampers which are opened by the air current itself do not open completely, but offer a certain amount of necessary resistance to the air flow. This obstruction is eliminated by my improved magnetically operated damper.

In Figs. 13, 14 and 15, I have shown three different plans of installation and suitable wiring therefor. That shown in Fig. 15 is adapted for a single toilet. Where the air is delivered to the outside of the house, the magnetic damper is placed near the outside wall, whether the motor driven fan be outside or inside the house. Where the air is delivered to a partition, attic or any protected place not affected by the wind and outside temperature, the damper may be dispensed with altogether, thus reducing the cost of installation.

In Fig. 14, a plan is shown for two toilet installations and in this plan there is an individual damper for each toilet so arranged that either one or both will operate the motor driven fan 21. This is necessary since otherwise the air would be withdrawn chiefly from the unused bowl.

If it is desired to connect more than two toilets to the same ventilating system, the type illustrated in Fig. 13 is used. In this type the mercury switches 12 are closed by the direct movement of the seat and are, therefore, of the nar row or low angle type. Mercury switches l2 are closed by the tipping of the damper magnet 29, and, consequently, are of the wider angle type.

In these three diagrams, the arrows indicate the direction of the current.

In operation, the circuit is closed when the lid or cover is up and the seat is down and weight is applied thereto through the mercury switch I2 and the lead 16, and when the circuit is thus closed, that particular toilet is opened and the circuit through the ventilating fan sets it in motion.

Upon removal of the weight from the seat, the circuit is broken, and the damper or dampers are closed, and the fan is stopped.

I have endeavored to make it perfectly clear, and I believe that I have, that the ventilation of each toilet is entirely independent of the others,

regardless of the number of toilets connected with the ventilating pipe. In other words, each toilet is ventilated only when in use, regardless of whether one or more are in use at the same time.

I claim:

1. An exhaust system for ventilating toilets while in use which includes a ventilating pipe, a motor driven fan operating in connection therewith for creating circulation of air therethrough, a seat, a mercury switch flexibly connected thereto, a hinged lid or cover carrying means in position to hold the mercury switch open when the lid or cover is in its lowered position, an electric circuit extending from the mercury switch to the motor driven fan, the mercury switch in position to close the circuit when the lid or cover is raised and weight is applied to the seat.

'2. An exhaust system for ventilating toilets while in use which includes a ventilating pipe, a motor driven fan operating in connection therewith for creating circulation of air therethrough, a seat, a mercury switch flexibly connected thereto, a hinged lid or cover carrying means in position to hold the mercury switch open when the lid or cover is in its lowered position, an electric circuit extending from the mercury switch to the motor driven fan, the mercury switch in position to close the circuit when the lid or cover is raised and weight is applied to the seat and to prevent the circuit from being closed when the seat and lid or cover are down regardless of whether weight is applied to the lid or cover or not.

3. In a toilet ventilating system, the combination of a bowl, a seat and lid, a rod for hinging the seat and lid to the bowl, the lid secured to and adapted to turn with the rod, and the seat mounted to turn on the rod independently of the lid, a mercury switch, and a spring connected with the mercury switch for attaching the latter to the seat, leads extending from the mercury switch, inhibiting means attached to the rod and adapted to be moved by the lid, and in position to close an electric circuit through the mercury switch and leads when the lid is raised and the seat is depressed, and to break the circuit when the weight is removed from the seat or when the lid is down. I

4. In a toilet ventilating system, the combi-: nation of a bowl, a seat and lid, a rod for hingingthe seat and lid to the bowl, the lid secured to and adapted to turn with the rod, and the seat mounted to turn on the rod independently of the lid, a mercury switch, and a spring connected with the mercury switch for attaching the latter to the seat, leads extending from the mercury switch,

inhibiting means attached to the rod and adapted to be moved by the lid, and in position to close an electric circuit through the mercury switch and leads when the lid is raised and the seatis depressed, and to break the circuit when the weight is removed from the seat or when the lid is down, an intake pipe or duct leading from the bowl, a ventilating pipe connected with the intake pipe, a motor driven fan operating in connection with one of said pipes for creating circulation of air therethrough, a circuit extending from the leads to the fan whereby to actuate the fan when the circuit is closed through the mercury switch when the lid is raised and weight is applied to the seat.

5. In a toilet ventilating system, the combination of a bowl, a seat and lid, 2. rod for hinging the seat and lid to the bowl, the lid secured to and adapted to turn with the rod, and the seat mounted to turn on the rod independently of the lid, a mercury switch, and a spring connected with the mercury switch for attaching the latter to the seat, leads extending from the mercury switch, inhibiting means attached to the rod and adapted to be moved by the lid, and in position to close an electric circuit through the mercury switch and leads when the lid is raised and the seat is depressed, and to break the circuit when the weight is removed from the seat or when the lid is down, an intake pipe or duct leading from the bowl, a ventilating pipe connected with the intake pipe, a motor driven fan operating in connection with one of said pipes for creating circulation of air therethrough, a circuit extending from the leads to the fan whereby to actuate the fan when the circuit is closed through the mercury switch when the lid is raised and weight is applied to the seat, a damper in the ventilating pipe included within the circuit from the mercury switch to the motor driven fan, said damper adapted to be opened when the circuit is closed and the fan is actuated, and to be closed when the circuit is broken and the fan is stopped.

6. The combination of a toilet bowl, seat and lid or cover, brackets or fixtures secured to the bowl, a rod axially supported therein and affording a hinge for the seat and lid or cover, the lid or cover secured to the rod, whereby the latter turns with the raising and lowering of the lid or cover, a mercury switch flexibly connected with the seat, an inhibition spring secured to the rod in position to engage the switch when the seat and cover are down, and means connected with the rod and to which the spring is connected for permitting a limited differential in the movement of the rod and inhibition spring.

7. The combination of a toilet bowl seat and lid or cover, an air intake pipe or duct forming an air pain secured to the rear of the bowl and in open communication with the latter, a ventilating pipe-connected with the duct, a fan in connection therewith, a magnetic damper in the ventilating pipe, an electro-magnet of the torque motor type mounted on the ventilating pipe, the armature of which has an arm in position to open and close the damper, the electro-magnet and fan in an electric circuit which extends to the seat and is opened and closed by the different positions of the seat. 7

8. An exhaust system for ventilating toilets While in use which includes a ventilating pipe, a motor driven fan operating in connection therewith for creating a circulation of air there.

through, a bowl, a single rod rotatably mounted on the bowl, a seat mounted to turn on the rod, a lid or cover connected with the rod and adapted to turn with the latter when raised and lowered, a switch attached to the seat, and an inhibiting device carried by the rod and adapted to control the positionrof the switch, said switch in circuit with the motor for opening and closing the circut therethrough.

"-9. An exhaust system for ventilating toilets and adapted to control the position of the switch,

said switch in circuit with the motor for opening and closing the crcuit therethrough.

WILLIAM J. HAZARD. 

